Eight Definitions of Observability vs. Monitoring - and Why None of Them Work

Explore the evolving terminology and conceptual differences between observability and monitoring in this 36-minute conference talk that examines eight distinct definitions of these frequently confused terms. Analyze why popular definitions of "observability" versus "monitoring" fall short of providing clear distinctions, while tracing the evolution from Prometheus's early days when observability was rarely discussed to its current status as a prominent buzzword in the cloud native ecosystem. Investigate how different perspectives classify tools like Prometheus—some viewing it as a core observability platform while others exclude it from observability entirely. Evaluate the practical utility and popularity of various definitions ranging from common industry interpretations to lesser-known conceptual frameworks, and determine whether these distinctions provide meaningful value for practitioners working with monitoring and observability tools in cloud native environments.